MARRAKECH, Morocco — As the Super Eagles touched down in Marrakech on Thursday, the mood was tense but determined. Captain Wilfred Ndidi has officially pledged to settle all outstanding match bonuses for the squad if the government’s promised alerts do not hit the players’ accounts before their crucial showdown with Algeria on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
The Stand-Off in Fes
The drama reached a tipping point in the team’s former base in Fes, where players reportedly refused to travel to Marrakech until they received bonuses for their three group-stage wins and the Round of 16 victory over Mozambique.
Under the guidance of head coach Eric Chelle—who recently celebrated his one-year anniversary with the team—the Super Eagles eventually agreed to travel after Ndidi’s personal intervention.
Ndidi’s Personal Pledge
Speaking to reporters via BBC journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, Ndidi emphasized that the team’s focus must remain on the trophy, not the bank alerts.
“I’ve been pushing the team to train and play since the second game,” Ndidi stated. “I’ve now made a commitment to the staff and players that I’ll personally pay the bonuses if the authorities fail to before Saturday. I don’t want this to affect our preparations.”
The Government’s Response
The Federal Government has moved quickly to de-escalate the situation. The Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, confirmed on Thursday that:
- Funds Released: All group-stage bonuses have cleared regulatory hurdles.
- FX Processing: The delay was caused by converting funds into the players’ preferred foreign currencies.
- Timeline: Payments are “in flight” and are expected to reflect in domiciliary accounts by Friday, January 9.
Quarter-Final Match Details
- Fixture: Nigeria vs. Algeria
- Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
- Time: 5:00 PM (WAT)
- Venue: Stade de Marrakech, Morocco
